A Hiking We Will...Oh No Watch Out For Nature!

The title is mainly due to this picture:

Beware of Nature, mountain lions, rattle snakes, ticks, poison oak, danger danger. Oh em Geee we're not going to get out alive, not to mention getting lost. (ok, really not a huge concern, but gees Louise!) Plus all the signs that warn you "Don't leave valuables in your car, lock your car, danger, danger!" Seriously, who would have thought hiking would be so hazardous...luckily, this Momma likes to live on the edge, watch out...sometimes I even stay up past 10 pm...what?!

Oh other note, the "play ground" (wood logs) clearly has a sign that says, "Check for Rattle Snakes...bahahah."

It was nice though, there were deer, turkey, ducks, geese, jack rabbits, butterflies and dragonflies, minnows, tadpoles, the whole works. It was an "easy" hike, as it's flat, and the only hard part was getting the stroller down to the river because of all the rocks.

We were lucky to have our friend and her young son join us. She had vast knowledge about all the plants and animals and even had Mini taste one of the plants!

 

       
         

The little LOVED the water, and of course the Mini LOVES the water. I told him only up to his knees, because apparently I'm a paranoid mom now, don't want him floating away down the river! The spot we were at was calm and small, but still...I'm not completely a "Yes" mom...not yet anyways.  

We ended the hike with lunch on a bench under a nice shade tree, which was lovely. I was surprised there weren't more people there since it was the first day of summer for most kiddos. 

Oh and we have super secret parking, and why is that? Because I'm WAY to cheap to pay for parking! (well and if you know me, you know that "squeak, squeak")  So we park on a side street and walk in...shout out to Grandma Darci for the secret parking spot!

If you're intersted, here's the link to the Nature Center: Effie Yeaw Nature Center - Sacramento

So, one summer adventure down, many, many more to go! 

Here's to a wonderful summer full of hikes, picnic lunches, library visits, water play, pools, and parks, friends, family,  love, hugs, patience, kindness, and adventure. 

Until next time...

Schooooolllls Out For Summer!

Welcome to Summer 2014 Mini!!!

My basically 4th grader and almost 10 year old "Mini" Wow! 

Wednesday was Mini's last day of school! His report card was really good and he's pretty much at grade level which is WONDERFUL! He brought home some art work and school work that he's done through the year, I'm still waiting to be able to read through all his stories he wrote.

I guess on his last day they had a raffle, and he won this mini water cooler! He was so stoked to try it out and I had to drink gross Gatorade because he REALLY wanted me to taste it :)

Winner Winner!!! 

 I asked him what he was most looking forward to this summer, he said hiking, and riding his bike. His mom texted me that night and said she had asked him what we (Mini and I) were going to do tomorrow on his first day of summer vacation. He said, "Well, it's Thursday, so Toni doesn't have daycare kids so we're going hiking...well I don't know if we are going hiking but we should!" Soooo we are going hiking tomorrow (which is actually today, we've already been hiking as I write this).

On Facebook, I posted this picture with the caption something to the effect of "Stuck with my other mom all summer) LOL but not really, he was just being goofy. I'd like to think if I asked him to pose for a picture of being "stuck" with me it won't look so terrifying! I'm pretty sure I'm still "ok."

Goofball! 

So tomorrow (really today) brings a hike and time at the river. Looking forward to spending some down time with the Mini. 

Feed That Baby! The Beginning of Little's Symbolic Play :D

The Little has started symbolic/pretend play! Let me shout in DELIGHT and EXCITEMENT!!! I noticed a few weeks ago she would make a car sound when pushing a car and thought, "Oh Cool!" then she started feeding her baby a bottle! EEEEeeeee cuteness! Here's a video (sloppy quick shot) of her feeding the baby. My hand in the video is me signing "milk." Her smacking her lips is the sound the baby makes while eating.

I am excited to embrace the toddler years! Whoo Hoo toddler on!

I'm No Good At Blogging

Last time was January...January...what the heck!

I think about the blog, I like the idea of the blog, but then I just can't seem to make time for the blog. And now, it is June (OK, a day away from June), and our small world has changed quite a bit. The baby is going to be one, Mini is out of school and on his way to double digits, and I'm still as crazy as ever, ok so some things do stay constant ;)

Little and Momma, Aquarium Spring Break 2014

The Mini is out of school in three school days. We are looking forward to a summer of swimming, hiking, and other outdoor stuff. Tonight was his last baseball game of the season, he loves baseball but I am looking forward to being able to spend some Saturdays together, and the huge amount of pressure lifted from him for a bit. He finished his school year strong, and has just grown so much academically this year and I'm so proud of him. We are going to make an ocean trip this summer (shhhh it's a secret, Pismo here we come) and I think he'll think that's pretty cool. I'm really just looking forward to him having time off, and not so much pressure on him with school and sports.

Mini in a tree, quick hike after school in May, 2014

Mini's on the Brewers 2014

Mini Pitching, May 2014

The Little went from teething (January) to running and climbing on anything that you can climb on, I'm talking anything. She just recently started signing "more" and "water" which is OMG the cutest thing EVER. She's learning to throw a fit which is hilarious. She's super smart and funny and is hilarious to watch. Her birthday is in June, hard to believe she is going to be one...amazing. Here is a video of her showing her mad fine motor skillz, rock it!

And for your viewing pleasure...some climbing pictures...on, again, everything...missing from here, the latest, climbed on a water table (in the daycare room), against the window, and flicked the light switch while squealing in delight...oh my. 

May 2014

Late April 2014

Late April 2014

Early April 2014

Nate is still working like crazy. They changed his schedule and it's a little hard for me to get use to, so yeah I don't like it. Selfishly I just want him home so the kids can be with him in the evening, and late nights make that difficult, and me grumpy! He helped coach Mini's season this year for baseball...he was WAY too stressed for 9 year old baseball...I'm surprised he's still with us. We've been able to go out a few nights when The Little is sleeping and that's been nice. He still likes me, like really really likes me, so that's pretty fantastic too! Go us! :D 

Mini and Dad at Pony Ball Night May 2014

As for me, still doing daycare, I had 3 families, but with Summer coming up, I'll now only have two. I enjoy both of my families and am thankful that I get to spend time with them each day. The Little loves the kiddos so that's fun to watch too. Unfortunately I've been having some really bad headaches almost on a daily basis and that's been kind of a bummer. I never quite know how bad they will be, if the medicine will stop them or if they'll go into a full blown migraine. Needless to say it's a rather helpless feeling and I'm praying that my doctor visit in a few weeks will shed some light on what's going on and ways to alleviate the pain. Oh I've also started walking with this really wonderful girl who lives down the street...although I'm pretty sure she's trying to kill me ;) She's really into fitness so she's super good for me but omg some days after our workouts I'm drenched in sweat and she's hopping along :D She makes me smile and is a good Mommy friends (her son is a bit younger than Little) so it's nice to have someone to relate to. I think other than that, that's what's going on. Baby, house, daycare, walking, spinning dizzy headaches, yup that about covers it. 

Life is good, I was walking the girls the other day and thinking about how lucky I truly am. I struggle with things like jealousy for possessions, and have moments of "well I'd sure like to be able to..." but I quickly try to pull out of them and focus on what we do have. I mean how wonderful that I have a husband that allows me to stay home with our children, who thinks that my staying home IS a valuable asset to our children. How amazing is it that we own our house, we OWN it (ok like 5,000 years from now we'll OWN it but you know) and God provides what we need. We have everything that we NEED and are even provided extras and how could you not be thankful for that!  

I'm a mom that gets to be at the park on a Tuesday at 10:30 in the morning, I get to go to baby library time, I can take Mini hiking in the middle of the day in the middle of the week, I have time, TIME for my children and to me that is such a gift. I miss working, I MISS MY PAYCHECK, but I know that this is the right choice for my children, and really for me too. There are days where I'm like screw this, I'm going to get a job I need  break from these monkies, but then the day ends, a new one starts, a smile, a hug, and we press on, doing the best we can with what we got. 

When in a rut, take time, focus on what you've got, smile, and press on. 

Until next time. 

A Teefer Post Turned Rambles of Hippy Notions

Teefers be ware, they are a comin'...or are they, or there're not, or who really knows but oh my we have a cranky baby on our hands! Yikes.

No sleep, eating everything in sight that she can fit her mouth on only to scream like a crazy two second later because it feels so good it hurts!!!! aghhhh! (thank goodness I have all my teeth, can you imagine ME having to cut teeth, watch out - my mom would understand this statement)

Little is actually playing right now (praise God! because it's been a screaming fest for a few days poor baby and momma's been solo most nights so double aghhhh), in the daycare room, me next to her on the computer. She's been at play for about 25 minutes, checking in every 5 minutes or so just to make sure it's all good. I'm proud of her ability to play...what a funny thing some would say to say, that she can play.

I do, I find it remarkable that she can stay engaged in an activity at such a young age and enjoy learning and exploring. I can sit and watch her forever and I fully look forward to when this play also is accompanied by words, oh the amazing things she will say!

There are times where she is "working" and I want to butt in but I don't. She doesn't need me and I'm thankful that I can realize that my butting in is just really a disrespectful interruption of her "work." So I step back, and I watch, and I wait, until I'm invited into the play.

This post was actually started because I was reading my most FAVORITE-est blog EVER and the way that these women empower their children makes me want to do the same for my own. I was reading their dialog with their children and thought, "Oh my, these women talk just like I do!?!?!?" I don't often find people who hold the same philosophy when it comes to children and the crazy side of me was like I need to email this lady and let her know that I know what she's talking about (e-mail pending!). Where are more of these people? I must find them!

All in all, sitting, enjoying the sound of play makes me feel happy and takes some of life's stress away, at least for the moment.

To my children: play on...play on.

Well Hello Again!

I want to blog, I think about it quite often, but then it doesn't get past the thinking part. I just find that I have no time! How can I be so busy...who knows, but I am.

So alas, yet another massive update post.

Apparently I haven't posted since November so let's see....

We'll start with Christmas. This was Nathan and my first Christmas as a married couple, and Little's first Christmas. Mini came home Christmas day and we celebrated together. He was way into helping Little open her gifts, and explained the gift he got her (a bear from build a bear) saying, "This is special because it's where I got my bunny from." It was sweet. He makes my heart smile.

"Let's Open This One."

School started up again in January for the Mini. He is doing FABULOUS! I am so proud of him and how hard he is working. He is really taking pride in his achievements and has become quiet the independent learner. Just yesterday he came home with an A+ on his social studies test. He looked in his folder even before I could to see what he got, he knew he had done well and was excited to see his success.  It's going to be so interesting to see what interests he develops and where life takes him. He's such a great kiddo and I'm so blessed that I've been allowed to be a part of his life.

Somewhere around November the Little began crawling an army type crawl, then early January I turned around in her room and she was standing up! What the heck kid!?!? She now officially crawls (on all fours) and STANDS all the time (while holding on). She has been practicing letting go and plopping down, I suspect and 8 month walker as we're only at 7.5 months and she's already creepin' along the furniture! I could watch her play and move all day! I am so thankful that Nathan has allowed me to stay home with her.

Little also eats, EVERYTHING! She has eaten, and likes: avocado, green beans, peas, carrots, apples, bananas, pears, and grapes. I make all her food, it's actually pretty easy, just takes some time. She recently started chompin' on Ritz Crackers, and LOVES them! Now tho, with all those crackers she's 10 times messier than before, but I LOVE IT...mess away my friend! (inset crazy hippy child development lady!!! messes = learning!)

Carrots! (and crackers)

I have finally changed my name, went to the DMV just today (made an appointment, ALWAYS make an appointment). I did hyphenate because I've been MY name for so long that I just couldn't give it up completely...

For Christmas for Nate, I made something from Pinterests, where I came up with a date a month to do, some are at home and others are out. We are going on our January date tomorrow. I am excited as we don't ever get to be just us anymore. I loved the idea of making time for US, and had fun coming up with the ideas for his gift. Some are super silly, and I hope he doesn't think they are too lame but it's the thought that counts right!

As for the daycare, I am feeling quite discouraged :( I just LOVE being with children and playing and providing experiences for learning, but sadly no takers. In this time in our world people place such a heavy emphasis on academics and it just kills me because our children don't need that at such a young age. But I think that's why I am not getting clients because I won't flash card their 2 year old to death...ugh people read the research!!!
Potential clients ask, "What does a typical day include?" I want to answer in one word..."PLAY!" We play, and then we play, we play some more, and oh yeah, we thrown in some play...crazy right, just playing, bunch of hippies! I could go on for hours..."they're just playing, they aren't learning..." Oh man, if you only knew how it really worked. Play experiences are set up to achieve learning goals...just watch...I've got my own Little experiment going right now...let's see where she is in 5 years after just "playing," I'll be sure to update how she can read, write the alphabet, do simple math and everything else! Annnnd ok, moving on... playing!


Tonight Mini came home from baseball practice (oh we started spring training!) and said, "Do you want to see the moon?" I'm thinking, honestly no not really, but of course I say, "Of course I want to see the moon!" I get up and we go look, he tells me about the moon and the moon that's coming at the end of the month.

Later he asked Little if she wants to see it:

"Little, want to see the moon?" Here, can you open the door?"

"Look, what do you think that is? What is that?"

"It's the moon, can you say moon?" What do you think that is?" Can you say it?"

to me: "I don't think she's going to say anything"

Me: *laughing out loud, "No Mini, I don't think she's going to say anything, but I bet she appreciates you telling her about the moon."

Until next time...